ESSEC

Paris (La Défense), France · Private · Global MBA: 12-month full-time (extendable to 16 months); September intake; Paris-La Défense campus (Singapore campus option)

Average GMAT Focus: 615
Program tuition: €62,518 (full program)

Deadlines

Early Bird Round 1 (September 2027 intake; €8,000 early-bird award): Sept. 28, 2026
Early Bird Round 2 (September 2027 intake; €8,000 early-bird award): Oct. 26, 2026

Essays

Essay 1 (5,000 characters)

Why do you want to do an MBA? Why at ESSEC?

Essay 2 (5,000 characters)

What career are you targeting immediately following the MBA, indicating function, field, targeted company/companies and region of the world? Similarly, in detail, how does your career path continue in the medium term and long term?

Optional essay (5,000 characters)

You may choose to write about a subject of your choice, if you feel you have something additional to share. You may also use this space to write about any of the components of your candidature that you feel requires additional information.

Editor's notes

The money is front-loaded. Both posted deadlines, Sept. 28 and Oct. 26, 2026, carry an €8,000 early bird offer, and ESSEC says the earlier you apply, the better your scholarship chances. Sept. 28 is days away. If your file isn't ready, Oct. 26 still gets the offer.
Don't skip the test because you're allowed to. ESSEC lets you apply first and send scores later, but you can't enrol or get a scholarship until they arrive, and the High Potential award scales with your score. With a class average of 615 on GMAT Focus and a preferred minimum of 585, a strong score still helps.
The interview is about motivation in three parts: why an MBA, why ESSEC, and what you want from it. Tie your answer to something specific, such as one industry learning lab (a quarter of recent graduates went into luxury) or the Yale and MIT 1+1 options. Generic praise for Paris won't carry it.
Check the eligibility floor before anything else. You need to be at least 25, with three years of post-university experience and international work experience; a three-year degree means a VAPP review and five years of experience.